The arithmetic of US decline

US Patriot interceptor stocks have fallen to roughly one third, THAAD to half, and the Precision Strike Missile to as low as 10%. The USS Abraham Lincoln limped into port after 286 days at sea, and Iran captured an intact US underwater drone near Hormuz. The analysis argues Washington has the arsenal, but Tehran holds the map—and endurance, not firepower, now decides the outcome.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529989/The-arithmetic-of-US-decline

International Painting Competition Sorena to focus on Minab martyred children

The Sorena painting competition, themed "Iran through the eyes of children," was launched in Tehran to honor the 168 children martyred at Minab's Shajareh Tayyebeh school on February 28. Organizers say art can globalize this US crime and preserve its narrative. Selected works will be exhibited internationally. The competition includes cash and cultural prizes, judged by the Art Bureau for Children and Adolescents.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529964/International-Painting-Competition-Sorena-to-focus-on-Minab-martyred

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“I Want My Music to Carry a Message of Iranian Unity and World Peace,” says conductor Paniz Faryousefi 🎻🕊️

Amid Iran’s grief and upheaval over the past year following US and Israeli aggression, conductor Paniz Faryousefi has turned to music to express collective sorrow while offering hope and solidarity. In November 2025, she became the first woman since the Islamic Revolution to officially conduct the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, later shaping a Vivo Orchestra concert around Iranian works. 🇮🇷🎼

56 cities, 35 villages on Iran's national list for handicraft hubs

Iran has registered 56 cities and 35 villages as national handicrafts centers, adding 18 in two years. Yazd became a World Craft City for jewelry, and Na'in's aba-weaving earned WIPO geographical indication. The sector added over 180,000 workers, revived 66 endangered crafts, and now supports 623,000 artisans—over 80% of them women.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530016/56-cities-35-villages-on-Iran-s-national-list-for-handicraft

Grossi’s toxic legacy: Greenlighting aggression, smearing Iran

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s tenure has left a deeply controversial legacy, marked by what critics describe as politicized reporting and growing alignment with Western pressure on Iran. His approach to Iran’s nuclear program, they argue, has helped create a narrative used to justify aggression while undermining the agency’s credibility as an impartial international body. The article examines Grossi’s role in escalating tensions, his statements on Iran’s nuclear activities, and the broader consequences for international nuclear diplomacy. It argues that the IAEA’s credibility risks being further damaged by selective assessments and politically driven narratives.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530020/Grossi-s-toxic-legacy-Greenlighting-aggression-smearing-Iran

Nine years after Saudi Ritz-Carlton purge, Rami Naimi remains trapped

Nine years after Saudi Arabia’s 2017 Ritz-Carlton purge, the case of Rami Naimi continues to raise serious questions about the kingdom’s treatment of detainees. A Financial Times investigation details Naimi’s alleged torture, repeated detention, secret proceedings and coercive financial demands. The son of former Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi was detained in 2017 and reportedly forced to pledge billions of dollars before being placed under movement restrictions. He was detained again in 2022 and later sentenced to six years in prison. His family says the pressure and financial demands have continued, leaving Naimi trapped despite Saudi Arabia’s modernization narrative.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530031/Nine-years-after-Saudi-Ritz-Carlton-purge-Rami-Naimi-remains

Tehran hosting international auto show

The 7th Tehran International Auto Show runs from September 14–17 at the Shahr-e Aftab exhibition center, featuring 35 automotive groups across 22,000 square meters. Four test-drive spaces are available for visitors. Chinese carmakers have a notable presence. A "No to Accidents" social campaign will also continue through specialized podcasts.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529998/Tehran-hosting-international-auto-show

Iran ranks 10th with 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites

Iran now holds 30 UNESCO World Heritage properties—28 cultural and 2 natural—ranking 10th globally. Recent additions include the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (2025) and Alamut Castle (2026). Italy leads with 62. Iran's portfolio includes Persepolis, Pasargadae, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Hyrcanian Forests, and the Lut Desert.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530017/Iran-ranks-10th-with-30-UNESCO-World-Heritage-sites

‘The Painter of the Wounded Land’ exhibition opens in Tehran

An exhibition titled “The Painter of the Wounded Land” has opened in Tehran, showcasing works that reflect the pain, resilience and enduring spirit of Iran amid recent turmoil. The exhibition brings together paintings that explore the impact of conflict and loss while highlighting the country’s cultural identity and people’s capacity for resistance and hope. Through powerful visual imagery, the featured works offer an artistic reflection on a wounded land and its experiences, inviting visitors to engage with themes of suffering, memory and perseverance. The exhibition provides a space where art becomes a means of expressing collective emotions and preserving cultural memory.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530002/The-Painter-of-the-Wounded-Land-exhibition-opens-in-Tehran

Andrei Stenin photo exhibition opens in Tehran

An exhibition featuring winning photographs from the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has opened in Tehran, bringing together powerful images by young photographers from around the world. The showcased works capture major events, human experiences and social realities through compelling visual storytelling. Named after Russian photojournalist Andrei Stenin, who was killed while covering the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, the annual contest honors his legacy and supports emerging photographers. The Tehran exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore award-winning photography while highlighting the role of visual journalism in documenting conflicts, social change and the human condition.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530023/Exhibition-of-winning-works-of-Andrei-Stenin-International-Press

Iran censures US ‘deliberate destruction of development’ at Human Rights Council

Iran has strongly criticized the United States at the UN Human Rights Council, accusing Washington of deliberately undermining development and violating the rights of people in developing countries. Iran’s representative highlighted the devastating impact of unilateral coercive measures and what Tehran described as U.S. policies that hinder economic and social progress. The remarks came during discussions on the right to development, where Iran stressed that sanctions and economic pressure can have serious consequences for access to essential services and basic rights. Tehran called for greater international attention to the destructive effects of such measures and stronger efforts to protect the right to development.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530009/Iran-censures-US-deliberate-destruction-of-development-at-Human

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Tehran International Auto Show Highlights

From Balfour to Miliband: Has the West begun redefining Israel?

Britain's Ed Miliband says settlements aren't Israel—but analysts argue that distinction is collapsing. Settlers vote, serve in the Knesset, and shape government policy. As Gaza genocide turns Western voters against the occupation, London is no longer asking how to protect Israel, but which Israel to protect. If settlements are a policy, elections can change it—but if they define the regime, change means redefinition.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/530034/From-Balfour-to-Miliband-Has-the-West-begun-redefining-Israel